Modular vehicle license plate camera

ABSTRACT

A motor vehicle license plate mount having a modular license plate frame including a base section and two side mounts for securing license plates of varying widths and heights to the vehicle and a camera housing including a lens and with the base section forming a slot for receiving an exterior edge of the license plate. Electrical cables connect at least one side mount to the base section providing power to the camera unit via a local solar cell disposed on at least one side mount.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/571,578 filed Oct. 12, 2017, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present disclosure is directed to a configurable license platecamera system including an energy harvesting module, with both thecamera and energy harvesting module independently positionable by theuser. The configurable license plate system accommodates a large numberof differently dimensioned license plates and allows positioning of thevarious components in a manner that complies with local regulationsregarding obscuring information provided on the license plate.

Prior Art

Prior art after-market license plate camera systems do not permit theuser to position components of the license plate camera systemindependently in order to provide the desired look of the camera systemand comply with local regulations prohibiting obscuring license plateinformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and a preferred mode of use, further objectives andadvantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a camera base according to an embodiment of thepresently described modular license plate camera system;

FIG. 1B depicts an energy harvesting module according to an embodimentof the presently described modular license plate camera system;

FIG. 1C depicts an energy harvesting module according to an embodimentof the presently described modular license plate camera system;

FIG. 2 depicts a camera base and energy harvesting modules according toan embodiment of the presently described modular license plate camerasystem; and

FIG. 3 depicts a license plate installed in a camera base and energyharvesting modules according to an embodiment of the presently describedmodular license plate camera system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will beidentified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The inventionillustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absenceof any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

A configurable system that resolve the current issues by breaking theassembly into several parts comprising a main housing, camera, energyharvesting module(s), and a backplate that can be made of a low-costmaterial capable of supporting the individual assemblies. The individualassemblies can also be mounted directly to the back of the license plateif needed, however, the use of the backplate allows different licenseplates to be inserted at a later date with ease should the user transferthis assembly between different license plates or vehicles.

Use of the modular vehicle license plate camera assembly in variouscountries that require different license plate dimensions, a newbackplate can be easily created at a low cost and included with thesystem for proper fitment.

There exist several aftermarket vehicle back-up camera systems thatutilize a wired or wireless means to provide video information to amonitor typically mounted inside the cab of the vehicle. Some of thesecamera systems can send video information wirelessly to a smart phone.Regardless of the system employed to communicate information, one commonissue is the mounting of the camera and/or camera assembly to thevehicle.

Mounting of these systems vary and typically involve the customer toreplace a license plate light for an OEM look while others require youattach the camera with some form of adhesive, screw into the body of thevehicle, attach on the front or rear of the license plate using one ormore of the existing license plate screws, or adhere a mounting plate tothe back of the license with some form of adhesive tape. Some are meantfor temporary mounting and use a suction cup or magnetic mount.

Of these different systems, there exist those that require both powerand a trigger source from the vehicle while others are completelywireless and are powered by an internal battery.

Systems that are required to be wired to the vehicle can be difficult toinstall for the average Do It Yourselfer (DIY). Locating a source ofconstant power (or constant power when the engine is running) can bedifficult in some vehicles and may require the use of a DC volt meter ormethod to confirm the availability of 12 volts DC. In addition, thesecameras require a trigger source such as the reverse line in order toallow the camera to transmit only when the vehicle is in reverse. Thereason these cameras do not recommend the power source be connected tothe reverse lamp, is to quicken the ability to provide the videoinformation as to turn on the entire system then transmit may takeadditional time as compared to a system being powered and ready to sendupon the trigger of the reverse lamp. The difficulty in wiring thesesystems has resulted in a high level of returns of products to theretailer by unsatisfied customers.

Systems that utilize an internal battery have limited use due to thepower consumption of the device. Units designed for temporary use suchas a trailer cam may mount with a magnet or suction cup and utilize anon/off switch to conserve power when stored and not in use. These areapplied and turned on only when being used and are typically removed andshut off when not in use. Recent developments in battery technology haveincreased the operation time of these systems, however, the battery willeventually run down and require replacement or recharging.

A system to automatically recharge the camera system battery would serveto extend use of the camera from a mere 3-6 months of normal use topotentially unlimited operation under normal use and conditions, thusreducing the need to replace or recharge the battery manuallyrepeatedly. Several methods can be useful to harvest energy throughsolar and/or vibration, however, implanting these energy harvestingdevices on a license plate mounted product has significant challenges.

Vibration Energy harvesters are an emerging technology and have becomeuseful in applications of small transmitters by harvesting vibrations tocreate electricity, however, the average vehicle does not create enoughvibration for a long enough duration to be effective.

Solar cells have been around for many decades providing a source ofpower during daylight hours and do not require the vehicle be moving inorder to generate energy. The issue with a solar cell is to create oneof sufficient size to make sure the average energy collected issufficient to replenish that which is consumed from the battery by theaverage product consumption and determine a location that is convenientfor the consumer to mount.

An optimal location for the solar cells is along one or more sides ofthe license plate itself. However, the issue of size and location mustbe resolved so as to not interfere with the registration markings of thelicense plate, and in addition, not exceed the dimensional restrictionsof the license plate mounting area provided by the vehiclemanufacturers.

While there are opportunities to locate the solar cell around theperimeter of the license plate, there are a variety of license platedimensions globally. This makes creating a single housing system foreach location very costly in tooling costs as many commonly manufactureditems utilize plastic housings requiring tooling be created for each newdimensioned housing.

Since automobile license plates were introduced in the early twentiethcentury, plates have varied in size and shape from one jurisdiction tothe next, from state to state and from country to county. Accordingly,if a vehicle owner moved from one jurisdiction to another, new holeswould need to be drilled into the automobile (often on the bumper) tosupport the new plate for the new jurisdiction. In the 1950s, automobilemanufacturers came to agreement with state governments and internationalstandards organizations and created standardized sized plates. Whilepeculiar local variants exist, there are three basic standardsworldwide:

(a) 520 by 110 mm (20.5 by 4.3 inches) or 520 by 120 mm (20.5 by 4.7inches)—in the bulk of European countries and many of their formeroverseas territories, as well as North Korea and South Korea;

(b) 305 by 152 mm (12.0 by 6.0 inches) or 305 by 160 mm (12.0 by 6.3inches)—in the majority of North America and Central America, and partsof South America; occasionally in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, andmany Persian Gulf countries; and

(c) 372 by 135 mm (14.6 by 5.3 inches)—in Australia and some otherPacific Rim countries, about halfway between the dimensions of the othertwo standards, longer than Western Hemisphere plates but taller thanEuropean plates.

Additional sizes include:

-   -   260 by 110 mm (10.2 by 4.3 inches)—in Monaco    -   from 275 by 200 mm (10.8 by 7.9 inches) to 340 by 220 mm (13.4        by 8.7 inches)—two line pattern, optional in several European        countries for 4×4 and Imported Vehicles    -   275 by 205 mm (10.8 by 8.1 inches)—in Vietnam    -   300 by 80 mm (11.8 by 3.1 inches)—Switzerland and Liechtenstein    -   310 by 155 mm (12.2 by 6.1 inches)—in Saudi Arabia    -   320 by 90 mm (12.6 by 3.5 inches)—in Iraq    -   330 by 165 mm (13.0 by 6.5 inches)—in Japan    -   330 by 140 mm (13.0 by 5.5 inches)—in Andorra    -   340 by 150 mm (13.4 by 5.9 inches)—in Thailand    -   360 by 125 mm (14.2 by 4.9 inches)—in New Zealand    -   360 by 130 mm (14.2 by 5.1 inches)—in Chile    -   360 by 110 mm (14.2 by 4.3 inches)—in Italy (front plates), and        Oman    -   380 by 160 mm (15.0 by 6.3 inches)—in Taiwan    -   390 by 120 mm (15.4 by 4.7 inches)—in San Marino    -   400 by 130 mm (15.7 by 5.1 inches)—in the Mercosur member        countries, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and others, originally        based on the 2008 Brazilian standard    -   404 by 154 mm (15.9 by 6.1 inches)—in Ecuador    -   430 by 110 mm (16.9 by 4.3 inches)—in Jordan    -   430 by 135 mm (16.9 by 5.3 inches)—in Indonesia    -   440 by 120 mm (17.3 by 4.7 inches)—in South Africa and Finland    -   440 by 140 mm (17.3 by 5.5 inches)—in China, but 480 by 140 mm        (18.9 by 5.5 inches) for New Energy vehicles    -   450 by 100 mm (17.7 by 3.9 inches)—in Syria and Tunisia        Source: Wikipedia.com

The above examples are for plates specific to the country for which theywere developed. Of particular interest here is North and Central Americaand parts of South America, but the same manufacturing and user issuesexist around the world. Costly injection molding tooling would be neededto create multiple license plate camera mounts with different physicaldimensions for use in countries that do not share the same physicaldimensions as the original product.

There is a need, therefore, for a modular and configurable system thatallows the user to position the camera and energy harvesting modulesindependently and provide the means that connect both electrically andmechanically to accommodate a variety of differently dimensioned licenseplates with minimal manufacturing risk, investment, and expense.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C depict components of an embodiment of the presentlydisclosed modular vehicle license plate camera system. FIG. 1A depictscamera base 110. Camera base 110 includes camera unit 112, whichcomprises one of various available wireless or wired compact cameraunits. Camera unit 112 may be powered by a local battery or wired to thevehicle's battery. A local battery may be a chargeable battery,chargeable through an energy harvesting module, such as solar cells thatwill be described below.

Camera base 110 also includes slot 113 between camera unit 112 andcamera base plate 114. Slot 113 is sized to receive a long edge of alicense plate having a common thickness of between 1 and 4 millimeters.Slot 113, however, may be sized to accommodate a license plate of anythickness.

Camera base plate 114 is of sufficient height and width to provide asolid base for adhering to the back of a license plate as will bedescribed. Camera base 110 further comprises cables 116 situated oneither side of camera base 110. Cables 116 include jacks to allowconnection to a power source, such as a solar cell as will be described.

FIGS. 1B and 1C depict a pair of solar cell side mounts according to anembodiment of the presently disclosed modular license plate camera. FIG.1B depicts a left solar cell mount 140 comprising solar cell 142, whichis a rectangular shape in the presented embodiment to minimizeinterference with license plate information that must remain visible,but at the same time provide adequate energy harvesting to operatecamera unit 112. Left solar cell mount 140 further comprises slot 143formed by the void between solar cell 142 and left solar cell mountplatform 144. Left solar cell mount platform is on sufficient height andwidth to support the various components of left solar cell mount 140 andto also provide sufficient surface area for adhering a received licenseplate, as will be described.

Left solar cell mount 140 also comprises power cable 146 for receiving acable 116 of camera base 110 in order to supply power to camera unit112.

FIG. 1C depicts a right solar cell mount 170 comprising solar cell 172,which is a rectangular shape in the presented embodiment to minimizeinterference with license plate information that must remain visible,but at the same time provide adequate energy harvesting to supply powerto camera unit 112. Right solar cell mount 170 further comprises slot173 formed by the void between solar cell 172 and right solar cell mountplatform 174. Right solar cell mount platform 174 is of sufficientheight and width to support the various components of right solar cellmount 170 and to also provide sufficient surface area for adhering areceived license plate, as will be described.

Right solar cell mount 170 also comprises power cable 176 for receivinga cable 116 of camera base 110 in order to supply power to camera unit112.

FIG. 2 depicts the combination of camera base 110 and left solar cellmount 140 and right solar cell mount 170. As can be seen, thearrangement of these components are roughly the configuration of astandard rectangular license plate, although the width and height ofsuch license plates may vary. As shown, double sided adhesive strips 210can be applied to camera base plate 114 and left and right solar cellmounting platforms 144 and 174 to secure the license plate to the cameraand solar cell modules once the license plate is in the desiredposition.

FIG. 3 depicts license plate installation in an embodiment of thepresently described modular vehicle license plate camera assembly. InFIG. 3, license plate 300 is of a height and width common among manynation's license plates, including the United States and all of NorthAmerica. The assembly can include backplate 302 on which cameral base114 and left and right solar cell mounts 140 and 170. This can beadvantageous to allow the user to continue use of the installed cameracomponents even though the license plate may change. As shown, licenseplate 300 in inserted through slots 143 and 173 of left and right solarcell mounts 140 and 170 up to slot 113 in camera base 110 and securelyfastened within solar cell mounts 140 and 170 and camera base 110 withdouble sided adhesive strips 210 or any other suitable fastening means,such as screws, rivets, tied down strips or the like. This providesthree points of security around the perimeter of license plate 300. Thelicense plate and the camera assembly can then be mounted to the vehiclewith screws through holes in license plate 300 into threaded femalereceiving members typically embedded in the vehicle. Alternatively,backplate 302 can be inserted into slots 113, 143 and 173 and fastenedto the camera base 110 and left and right solar cell mounts 140 and 170with two sided adhesive strips 210. Then, license plate 300 andbackplate 302 can be installed in a stack with license plate 300 alsoinserted into slots 143, 173 and 113, with both license plate 300 andbackplate 302 further secured by bolts through pre-drilled holes.

The modular nature of camera base 110 and left and right solar cellmounts 140 and 170 provide multiple levels of customization toaccommodate the different needs of users residing in jurisdictionshaving different license plate related rules and regulations. Forexample, in jurisdictions where the jurisdiction name, such as a state'sname is printed on the license plate along the upper, central portion ofthe plate, camera base 110 may be installed on the lower edge of theplate. Alternatively, the camera base 110 may be offset from center soas to not encroach the areas in which the state name appears. This ismade possible by the slots herein described in which the plate may beslidably engaged. Similarly, the plate may be vertically adjusted withinslots 143 and 173 of left and right solar cell mounts 140 and 170 toaccommodate plates of different heights. The modular nature of thevehicle license plate camera assembly herein described lends itself tonumerous positions to keep users in compliance with local regulationswhile taking advantage of energy harvesting techniques. In jurisdictionswhere the jurisdiction name is printed near the bottom of the long sideof the license plate, camera base 110 may be installed along the upperedge of the plate. Similarly, camera base 110 may be offset from centerso as to not encroach the area in which the jurisdiction name appears.

The foregoing description is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

While the disclosed embodiments have been described with reference toone or more particular implementations, these implementations are notintended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of theinvention. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatmany modifications and alterations to the disclosed embodiments areavailable. Therefore, each of the foregoing embodiments and obviousvariants thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scopeof the disclosed inventions.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Additional Description

The following clauses are offered as further description of thedisclosed invention.

Clause 1. A modular vehicle license plate frame, comprising:

a base plate;

a camera housing disposed approximate to an edge of the base plate;

a first slot disposed between a camera lens and the base plate;

at least one base plate electrical cable disposed on the base plate; and

at least one side plate containing a first solar cell section and atleast one first side plate electrical cable for connection to the atleast one base plate electrical cable.

wherein the first slot has a thickness approximate to the thickness of alicense plate for receiving a license plate.

Clause 2. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, further comprising a second side plate.

Clause 3. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, further comprising a second base plate electricalcable disposed on the base plate.

Clause 4. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, wherein the second side plate comprises a second solarcell section and at least one second side plate electrical cable forconnection to the second base plate electrical cable.Clause 5. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, further comprising a second slot disposed between thefirst solar cell section and the first side plate.Clause 6. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, further comprising a third slot disposed between thesecond solar cell section and the second side plate.Clause 7. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause wherein the second slot has a thickness approximate tothe thickness of a license plate for receiving the license plate.Clause 8. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause wherein the third slot has a thickness approximate tothe thickness of a license plate for receiving the license plate.Clause 9. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, further comprising an adhesive for adhering thelicense plate to the base plate.Clause 10. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, further comprising an adhesive for adhering thelicense plate to at least one of the first side plate and the secondside plate.Clause 11. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, further comprising an adhesive for adhering a backplate to the base plate.Clause 12. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, further comprising an adhesive for adhering a backplate to at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate.Clause 13. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any proceeding orpreceding clause, wherein the distance between the first side plate andthe second side plate of an assembled modular vehicle license plateframe is 260 to 520 millimeters.Clause 14. The modular vehicle license plate frame of any precedingclause, wherein the distance between the first side plate and the secondside plate of an assembled modular vehicle license plate frame is 275 to330 millimeters.

I claim:
 1. A modular vehicle license plate frame, comprising: a baseplate; a camera housing disposed approximate to an edge of the baseplate; a first slot disposed between a camera lens and the base plate;at least one base plate electrical cable disposed on the base plate; andat least one side plate containing a first solar cell section and atleast one first side plate electrical cable for connection to the atleast one base plate electrical cable, wherein the first slot has athickness approximate to the thickness of a license plate for receivinga license plate.
 2. The modular vehicle license plate frame of claim 1,further comprising a second side plate.
 3. The modular vehicle licenseplate frame of claim 2, further comprising a second base plateelectrical cable disposed on the base plate.
 4. The modular vehiclelicense plate frame of claim 3, wherein the second side plate comprisesa second solar cell section and at least one second side plateelectrical cable for connection to the second base plate electricalcable.
 5. The modular vehicle license plate frame of claim 4, furthercomprising a second slot disposed between the first solar cell sectionand the first side plate.
 6. The modular vehicle license plate frame ofclaim 5, further comprising a third slot disposed between the secondsolar cell section and the second side plate.
 7. The modular vehiclelicense plate frame of claim 6 wherein the second slot has a thicknessapproximate to the thickness of a license plate for receiving thelicense plate.
 8. The modular vehicle license plate frame of claim 7wherein the third slot has a thickness approximate to the thickness of alicense plate for receiving the license plate.
 9. The modular vehiclelicense plate frame of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive foradhering the license plate to the base plate.
 10. The modular vehiclelicense plate frame of claim 2, further comprising an adhesive foradhering the license plate to at least one of the first side plate andthe second side plate.
 11. The modular vehicle license plate frame ofclaim 1, further comprising an adhesive for adhering a back plate to thebase plate.
 12. The modular vehicle license plate frame of claim 2,further comprising an adhesive for adhering a back plate to at least oneof the first side plate and the second side plate.
 13. The modularvehicle license plate frame of claim 2, wherein the distance between thefirst side plate and the second side plate of an assembled modularvehicle license plate frame is 260 to 520 millimeters.
 14. The modularvehicle license plate frame of claim 13, wherein the distance betweenthe first side plate and the second side plate of an assembled modularvehicle license plate frame is 275 to 330 millimeters.